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Hamlet Mortality Essay

588 Words3 Pages

Throughout Hamlet, mortality is an important theme whose thematic relevance is elucidated by the ghost of Hamlet Senior. Hamlet it directly affected by the ghost’s appearance whose appearance causes Hamlet to question his own fate in the afterlife. Hamlet’s introspection adds to the theme of mortality as he worries about the unknown life after death. This is caused by his father’s death long with his soul in purgatory. Before the ghost’s appearance, the death of his father caused suicidal thoughts as Hamlet says, “to be or not to be that is the question whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles and, by opposing, end them” (cite). Although Hamlet considers …show more content…

The ghost allows the character development of multiple characters to emerge regarding their reactions or feelings towards death. A prime example of the character development the ghost illuminates, is Gertrude’s apathetic response towards mortality and death. Gertrude says, “Though know’st common; all lives must die, passing through nature to eternity” (1.2.74). The ghost illuminates this response as his presence within the play exaggerates the reality and sadness of his death, however, Gertrude is unfazed by the reality of the situation. Gertrude is apathetic but pragmatic as her response is unnatural compared to others but acceptable as she is able to bring logic and reason over her feelings. Claudius, however, shows selfishness and self-preservation through his character development. While talking about the old king, Claudius says, “our dear brother’s death the memory by green, and that it us befitted to bear our hearts in grief” (cite). By using the past tense of befit, he subconsciously is saying that people should move on. This shows character development as he is revealed as selfish considering he want people to focus on himself instead of the death of the old king. The ghost illuminates this character development through his presence itself as it adds to the inhumanity of Claudius’ remarks. Additionally, the ghost illuminates character development through

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